Rays Fall 3-1 to Admirals Wednesday

Dec 2, 2015

12/02/2015 7:58 PM -

NORFOLK, V.A.- The Norfolk Admirals scored three goals in the first 3:20 of the third period of play Wednesday night to earn a 3-1 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays at the Norfolk Scope Arena. The loss was South Carolina's first of the season when they held a lead entering the game's final period. Prior to tonight's contest, South Carolina was 11-0-0 when leading after 40 minutes.

Trailing 1-0 entering the third, Norfolk scored a pair of power play goals to take a lead. Gabriel Verpaelst tied the game, 1-1, on a slap shot from the right point at 1:07. His shot through traffic beat South Carolina goaltender Vitek Vanecek untouched.

At 2:52, Nick MacNeil would score his first goal of the season to give the Admirals a 2-1 lead. Scott Allen picked up his second assist, snapping a shot from the left wing that was stopped by Vanecek. The rebound popped loose to the slot, and MacNeil tucked a backhand past Vanecek for the power play goal that turned out to be the game-winning tally.

Norfolk would finish the furious rally only 28 seconds later as Radislav Illo defelcted a Verpaelst shot up and over Vanecek for his first goal of the season at 3:20.

It took until the 7:40 mark of the second period for either team to find the back of the net. South Carolina opened the scoring with a power play goal from Nick Jones. South Carolina forward Stephan Vigier kept the puck in the offensive zone and fed captain Andrew Rowe. He threw a pass towards the goal that was deflected by Jones on his backhand for his first goal of the season, and the Stingrays lone goal of the night.

South Carolina outshot Norfolk 28-18 on the evening in the loss. The Stingrays four-game winning streak was snapped while the Admirals broke a nine-game losing streak.

The Stingrays continue their 10-game road trip in Wheeling at 7:35 p.m. on Friday. Fans are invited to catch the game at the Official Watch Party Destination of the Stingrays, King Street Grille-Northwoods. All road games air at King Street Grille-Northwoods and fans 21 and up may enjoy a special offer of $3 Drafts, including Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Shocktop and Landshark during all Stingrays Watch Parties at King Street Grille.

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